Solar company chided for cutting trees by trail

Wednesday

Aug 13, 2014 at 12:01 AMAug 13, 2014 at 3:46 PM

By Anamika RoyDaily News Staff

HOLLISTON - People passing through the Upper Charles Rail Trail near Hopping Brook Road last month were in for a surprise: The normally tree-shaded area was completely bare to make room for a neighboring solar farm."I can't believe they did this. It was nice and shady. It was much more picturesque and private," said Todd Alessandri of Medway as he was biking past the area on Monday.Solect Energy, a Hopkinton solar energy company, is building a solar farm on Hopping Brook Road on a property that borders part of the Upper Charles Rail Trail. According to the Rail Trail Committee - which oversees the town's portion, under a lease from CSX Transportation - GLM Engineering of Holliston set up markers to protect trees and wetlands surrounding the property. Committee member Marc Connelly was inspecting the area daily to make sure the markers were being observed.“Everything was done fine. There was never even a branch over the marked lines,” said Connelly in a phone interview Tuesday.But that changed on a Friday in early July when the site was not inspected.When Connelly was checking the site, he was primarily concerned about wetlands near the property. He didn't think the trees by the rail trail would be a problem because they were marked by a fence, designed to keep sheep away from the old train tracks.“That was disturbing,” said Connelly. “They pretty much crashed through the fence.”At a Rail Trail Committee meeting on Aug. 6, Solect Energy co-founder Ken Driscoll said the tree cutting was a mistake.But committee members and residents are not buying that explanation.“It really is obvious that they knew exactly what they were doing,” said Connelly.Mark Schultz of Holliston was passing by the area on Monday, surveying what he described as “the wreckage.”“I am extremely upset about this,” said Schultz later in a phone interview. “I am not forgiving.”It is unclear who gave Solect permission to cut down the trees, many of which were 27 inches in diameter, said Connelly.“We don't know if Solect just messed up or just wanted to beg for forgiveness,” said Selectmen Chairman Kevin ConleyHe said he believes Solect wants to be a good neighbor.Schultz was unmoved.“This is not the action of a good neighbor,” he said, adding that Solect should be reprimanded for its “cavalier attitude.”Driscoll did not return several Daily News phone calls Monday and Tuesday seeking comment.By cutting the trees along the rail trail, Solect trespassed on town-controlled property, officials said. Holliston holds a lease, with intent to purchase, from CSX Transportation, a national rail company.While it is unlikely the solar company will have to pay any fines to the town for trespassing, the trail committee is negotiating with Solect to pay for damages.Solect has been cooperative thus far, said Connelly, but added that it doesn't make up for the damage it has done.“It's (the trail) never going to be the same. A lot of those trees had to be over 100 years old,” said Connelly.Anamika Roy can be reached at 508-626-3957 or aroy@wickedlocal.com. Follow her on Twitter @anamikaroy.